Woking Writers Circle

A welcoming writing community where we share words and grow together and where creativity, feedback and encouragement come together

Category: Members

  • MINUTES OF WOKING WRITERS’ CIRCLE MEETING, ST MARY’S CHURCH HALL, HORSELL ON 17th OF APRIL 2025

    PRESENT: Simona, Liz, Alan, Nathan, Cathy, Harry, Heather

    APOLOGIES: Tricia, Sarah, Hilary

    NEWS:

    1. Simona will email about an opportunity presented by the Bylines Network publication.
    2. Liz reported that WWC Book Group was reading 2 books: Orbital and Night Train to Lisbon.
    3. Liz has entered the Write Out Loud competition. She has also taken part in 3 workshops.

    WRITING COMPETITIONS:

    It was agreed that for a period of 3 months, the Minutes would include a section on current writing competitions, to see whether WWC members found this useful. No attempt would be made to provide a comprehensive list, or to give full details of each competition as these are available on the relevant websites. WWC members might find it helpful to obtain the monthly magazine, Writers’ News, which runs its own competitions and provides information about many other opportunities.

    1. Frome Festival Short Story Competition: For unpublished short fiction between 1000 and 2,200 words. Closing Date 31st May.
    2. Yeovil Literary Prize: Various categories, including Poetry and Short Stories. C/D 31st May
    3. Personal Memoir Competition: For unpublished, original memoirs up to 1,500 words. C/D 31st August.
    4. Ware Poets Open Poetry Competition: For poems up to 50 lines, any subject. There is a special Sonnet Prize. C/D 30 April
    5. Winchester Poetry Festival: For poems up to 40 lines, any subject. C/D 31st July

    READINGS:

    Simona read a short story, featuring Alys, who is a woman with a mission. The piece could stand alone, but the intention is that it will be part of Simona’s book. It was rich in technical detail, but this was conveyed in such a way as to make sense to the non-techies in the group. There was great admiration for the writing style, which maintained tension and pace throughout. All agreed that it was a remarkable piece of work.

    Heather once again lowered the tone with her poem, Support for the Partners of Poets, written after being driven to several recent poetry events by her long-suffering partner. She also contributed 2 clerihews (inspired by Nathan’s ground-breaking venture at the March meeting), one of which featured Hieronymous Bosch; the second, Picasso.

    Nathan’s wonderfully romantic, dreamlike poem, Wanderer, was in stark contrast to the previous offerings and was greatly appreciated. Suggestions were made regarding the ‘clutch at straws’ usage in verse 2 and the puzzle simile at the end of verse 2, but everyone relished the beauty of the language and images created in this remarkable poem. Nathan also presented a trademark Haiku, Echoes, which was admired by all. The last line, ‘The past carries on’ was compelling in its truth and simplicity.

    Cathy had followed the Homework suggestion which had been to write in a different genre from the usual one favoured by the writer. This she had done to great effect in a short poem, employing spare language to convey the stark facts known about a person’s life: Baptism, Marriage, Burial. Every 10 years, the Census recorded scant facts such as status, occupation, but nothing else about a person’s life survived beyond family memories. This was a moving and beautifully constructed piece.

    Alan contributed 2 pieces, in very different styles. The first very short story, Moonshine, featured 2 prisoners peeping out and seeing the moon. The whole story took up less than half a page of A4 and was told entirely in dialogue. This was a clever piece with the usual punchline delivered with a satisfying thud. The second story, Petrified Witness, was very different from Alan’s usual style, conveyed in an exchange of letters which faithfully reflected the style of Victorian polite society. This was a longer story which allowed for development of character and some telling references to the prevailing customs of the day, as in Miss Bingham’s allusion to reading mathematics at Cambridge not being ‘an avenue…open to our sex’. This story also had the power to shock, possibly more so because of the mannered style of the letters. Both pieces were greatly admired.

    Liz began by inviting views about whether she should write a wellbeing piece, possibly focussing on the pleasure to be had while shopping in Woking. She had departed from her usual genre by writing a children’s poem inspired by a walk round Winkworth Arboretum with her family. The young boy was fascinated by dinosaurs and all agreed that Liz’s rhyming poem captured the child’s excitement and wild imagination. Some suggestions were made about the imaginary dinosaurs that were hiding conflicting with the idea of digging, a possible solution being to dig for dinosaur bones in a sandpit. This was a very enjoyable piece.

    Harry’s poem, My Friend and the Racist, signalled a complete change of mood. The language was real and the inclusion of swear words gave credibility to the uncomfortable scene described. The emotions felt were powerfully conveyed and the regrets of the writer, as in the racist inviting the writer to punch him, followed by, ‘I didn’t – I wanted to./ I wish I did.’ The inclusion of reference to the racist putting down his ‘black dog’ worked well and the final lines about the writer feeling ‘sorry for his dog’ provided a neat and thoughtful end to a powerful and disturbing (in a good way!) poem.

    Next Meeting: Thursday, 15th May at 7.30pm

    Chair: Cathy

    Minutes: Simona

    Wine: Nathan

    Milk and biscuits: Simona

    Homework: Letters

  • Mouse Time

    By Heather Cook

    Please join us in celebrating our dear Writers Circle member, Heather, and her winning 2nd prize in this year’s Arundel Literary Festival Poetry Competition with Mouse Time:

    My year is not your year.

    I know no clocks, alarms, appointments;

    I do not measure time,

    imposing order so that I might live forever.

    I was born and I shall die as prey,

    skulking in shadows, quivering in ditches.

    I am less tense on summer days,

    feasting on fare carelessly dumped.

    I eat to live. No scheduled meals for me;

    mouse time is marked in hungry rumblings,

    the need to populate the time to come.

    An hour is just an hour; a second all it takes to die.

    Darkness brings the greatest fear,

    when fangs and talons crunch and slash warm flesh

    splashing the unfeeling night with blood.

    The fragile morning light brings half a promise

    that there is still some living to be done,

    but nothing in this world is certain.

    My year is not your year.

    If I should live so long,

    its end will find me old, stiff-legged and thin,

    trembling under frost-edged leaves.

    A stealthy feline tread inches from my pulsing frame

    could mark the end of this small life.

    But never think your clocks will keep you safe.

    You live a lie. The predator is at your gate.

  • MINUTES OF WOKING WRITERS’ CIRCLE MEETING, ST MARY’S CHURCH HALL, HORSELL ON 20th OF MARCH 2025

    APOLOGIES: Tricia, Keith, Alan

    PRESENT: Catherine, Harry, Nathan, Liz, Heather, Simona, Sarah

    NEWS:
    1. Heather shared her latest project which she hopes to publish into a pamphlet which stemmed from her battle with cancer. The pamphlet will be titled Beware the Exploding Yoghurt Pot, where she aimed to capture raw thoughts, balancing light-heartedness with some darker aspects of her experience.

    2. Heather also celebrated winning second prize in the Arundel Poetry Competition, part of the Arundel Literary Festival, for her poem Mouse Time.

    3. Liz reported on her book group’s recent discussion of Blindness by José Saramago. The group found it deeply unsettling, with Liz describing it as “hellish” and Catherine noting that while it was an unpleasant read, it was still significant and worthwhile.

    4. Liz also mentioned the upcoming 20th anniversary competition for Write Out Loud, which remains open for submissions until April 11. She invited members to attend the next meeting at the Fiery Bird in Woking.

    5. Catherine introduced her new blog, The Heart’s Quiet Space, where she explores grief and mindfulness. The blog is accompanied by an audio-guided meditation and is available on Substack. If you are interested, here’s the link: https://theheartsquietspace.substack.com/

    READINGS

    HEATHER read her poem Boundaries, which, draws from her childhood memories of visiting her grandparents in rural Devon. The group responded warmly, with Liz describing it as “magical” and Catherine noting how vividly it transported her back to her own childhood. Simona appreciated the poem’s deliberate and systematic depth and inquired about its drafting process, while Harry praised its musicality and rich imagery. Liz highlighted the contrast in language throughout the poem, while Sarah particularly enjoyed the child like wonderous reference to a humbug snail.

    HARRY: Harry shared a piece written for a competition, asking for feedback. He typically writes within themes of horror and grief but challenged himself with a different approach this time. Heather praised his powerful characterisation and the natural feel of it and making her visualise the people and the bay setting. Simona pointed out four lines that might not fit, but after Harry explained his intended irony, the group was more inclined to disagree. Catherine found the final two lines unclear, while Heather noted the poem’s reflection of the awkward realities of funerals. Liz found it powerful and natural, and Catherine appreciated how the poem subtly shifted in meaning without feeling jarring. Sarah was particularly taken by how Harry’s reading style, saying that it made it feel cinematic. The group also discussed whether certain words should be italicised for emphasis.

    NATHAN read his poem Escaping the Cyber, a futuristic piece exploring fears for the future. Sarah found it dense with ideas, which Nathan explained was intentional to convey an overwhelming atmosphere. Liz noted that some words felt out of place, while Heather questioned whether the rhyming scheme in the final four lines dictated the word choices too strongly. Simona suggested that moving certain elements forward could build suspense. In contrast, Harry appreciated the structure and perspective shifts. Nathan also shared a second, more concise poem (clerihews), inspired by technical short forms from different cultures, which Heather described as “neat,” and Liz praised for its economy of language.

    CATHERINE presented a short story based on historical events from Renaissance Poland. While the central elements were true, the story employed the legend of Pan Twardowski to give it a supernatural, mystic tone. She felt it might need further development, particularly in characterisation. Heather noted that the piece contained little dialogue and asked if Catherine planned to expand it into a larger work. Harry suggested it could be transformed into a horror story from a servant’s perspective.

    LIZ read a piece praised for its striking contrasts and sharp, descriptive narrative. Simona particularly enjoyed Liz’s use of subtle jibes throughout. Sarah found herself engrossed, and the group appreciated how the story transitioned between personal experience and historical reflection.

    SARAH concluded with a dream-inspired poem, A Recent Dream, in line with the group’s assigned writing homework. Simona and Harry found it dreamlike and surreal, while Heather asked if it accurately captured her actual dream, to which Sarah confirmed it did. The poem resonated deeply with the group, leading to a second reading. Liz described it as “quite beautiful,” and Nathan enjoyed its rawness, suggesting that further polishing was unnecessary. Heather remarked on its delicate dreamlike quality, which could be lost if overworked. Harry particularly admired the line dancing the waltz to invisible music, finding it both impossible and beautifully evocative. Liz summed up the poem as “very precious.”

    The meeting concluded with encouraging discussions on each reading and an appreciation for the diversity of voices within the group.

    Next meeting to be held on the 17th of April 2024

    Homework: ‘History’, with the added challenge that it must be in a form that you would not normally write.

    Chairperson: Harry

    Minutes: Heather

    Milk and biscuits: Simona

    Wine: Nathan

  • Art, Music and Literature – The medium is the message, a blogpost by Keith Elliot

    Art, Music and Literature – The medium is the message, a blogpost by Keith Elliot

    I have been thinking about the series of haikus presented a few meetings ago, and one of my poems which were both supposed to be picture prompt responses. I realised that unless you see the picture it is difficult to know whether the poem is describing the picture or your personal response to it. Ultimately if it is a poem then it must be judged on its literary merit, irrespective of the source of inspiration.

     As both a painter and a writer of poetry I believe that the “medium is the message” (Marshall McLuhan). It may be a cliché, but a picture can be worth a thousand words.

    One of the haikus highlighted the Return of the Fighting Temeraire amongst others. Now if you have never seen the painting or cannot visualise it, I could describe the painting as thus:

     A ship of the line that fought at the battle of Trafalgar being slowly hauled by a blacken steam tugboat to be dismantled. The placid sea and sky are set against a vivid burst of the setting sun ablaze in reds and yellows that blend, almost water colour like into the composition

     Now in contrast if I express how I react to the painting I would express the following:

    I see and feel many ambiguities expressed by Turner. Am I seeing a nostalgic reminiscence of past glories and the end of an era of sail? Am I seeing the dawn and realisation of a new industrial age of steam., the future? Is the bright blood red sky and water in direct contrast to the shadowy almost ghostly outline of the ship a reminder that she was an instrument of death too? A final glorious sunset or a sunset to recognise the gore and her final grave?

    I believe that any work of art has to be judged and appreciated in the medium that it is created. The work must stand alone to succeed. If it does not communicate idea(s) or feelings by the medium you use, explaining it defeats the purpose.

    Art, Music and Literature – The medium is the message

    There is a wonderful scene in the film ‘Goodwill Hunting’ where Matt Damon (Will) is with his therapist, played by Robin Williams sitting on a bench overlooking a park lake.

    The scene demonstrated that Will is not as superior as he thinks because of his incredible knowledge and intellectual powers. He can absorb data and solve complex problems that defeats even the greatest minds. He is humbled by Williams who says ‘you’re just a kid, if I ask you about love no doubt you could recite me a sonnet but you’ve never seen a woman with love in her eyes.’

    A great and poignant movie that encapsulates the struggle between intellectual and emotional knowledge. The same struggle that exists in all art forms. Creativity fights for centre stage in the medium that it is presented but ultimately it is the medium that defines the message of the art. Why is that so?

    For centuries, painting and drawing was representative of a 3D world on a 2D surface. The impact of this art was immediate as your eyes and brain received all the information simultaneously. The artist and the viewer were communicating in the same language so only the symbolism was open to interpretation. All that changed after photography liberated the artist from representative imagery. Movements such as Impressionism, Cubism and Abstract Art arose and often created conflict between artist and viewer because the language of the medium had changed. Just go to  Tate Modern to see and experience this.

    The purest abstract form of art is music, but it only exists in time. It can only be listened to in sequence. The listener is at the command of the medium (music in this case). However, that changed when recording technology arrived and the music could be amplified and listened to repeatedly at leisure. We now debate the difference between live performance, vinyl recordings versus digital.

    Finally, we come to the written word. It is potentially the only medium where 99% of its uses is practical and pragmatic: to communicate actions, ideas and information. Nowadays, we are subject to social media and e-mail. Intellectually, we recognise that the shorter the message the greater the action required. In summary: a sentence means action; a paragraph means action and information. Anything longer, information of declining value to the reader.

    Is this so with literature?

    The written word has 2 forms of messaging which can exist solely or jointly unlike other art forms. At school I read Shakespeare’s plays, but listening to Laurence Olivier reciting ‘now is the winter of our discontent’ form Richard the Third is the difference between understanding and experiencing human the condition.

    So, when I read a poem, it is not the same as hearing it read to me. I can re-read it should I choose. I control the medium. Indeed, the media may give me a totally different message form the original content. For example, ‘Don’t stop’ has a totally different meaning if there is a pause between the two words.

    When I hear a haiku, I often think that this format purports pretentiousness masquerading as profundity. It alludes to the same rules as a short e-mail at the emotional level./

    There were once rules that defined how poetry should be written. The expectation was rhyme and rhythm. No more it seems but is this important?

    Well, the only thing that really matters is knowing about how the medium impacts the message and the message you intend to convey by the medium you choose.

    Keith Elliot,

    November 2024

  • MINUTES OF WOKING WRITERS’ CIRCLE MEETING, ST MARY’S CHURCH HALL, HORSELL ON 20th OF FEBRUARY 2025

    APOLOGIES: Nathan, Heather, Alan
    PRESENT: Katherine, Tricia, Tony, Liz, Sarah, Keith


    A round of introductions and a run though of how the meetings are managed, took place for Tony, a visitor for this month.


    NEWS:

    1. We started with the good news that Heather will likely be returning in March.
    2. Tony shared that his new book was self-published last November.
    3. The book group recently read Blindness by José Saramago. Tricia described it as an interesting book, while Liz felt it was challenging to read, calling it “hell.” The next meeting will take place on Monday, February 27th, and Liz can be contacted for further details.
    4. The Farnham Literary Festival is taking place in March, featuring an open mic event. Slots for the event are still available.

    READINGS
    Keith shared a blog article he wrote, inspired by Liz’s previously presented series of haikus capturing her experience of the ‘Frameless’ exhibition. Keith’s piece encouraged readers to reflect on the medium of writing itself. Simona praised it as well-written and engaging. Tricia suggested a few improvements, and Katherine commented that non-English poetry may not always adhere to the expectations of rhyme and rhythm, which sparked a discussion on cultural perspectives in writing.


    Sarah reflected upon Carla’s poetry, a former WWC member, who sadly passed away in early March 2023. Sarah spoke about how Carla’s presence and poetry inspired her and how she had attended a Woking stanza hosted by Carla, when the task was to write about feeling tired and Sarah read this piece. Simona highlighted that the context chosen for the poem was well-placed. Sarah went on to read one of Carla’s poem’s entitled ‘Violetta’ about the joy and hope of a baby granddaughters future. The group also recalled Carla’s wonderful poems about Italian food and Keith read the poem ‘My way of cooking pasta’ and he succeeded in delivering this with panache. The poems were from the book ‘Workwear’ by Carla Scarano. A review of the book can be found on this link:
    https://www.writeoutloud.net/public/blogentry.php?blogentryid=127186


    Tony read an excerpt from his self-published book, which touched on his social observations. Simona noted while well written, it felt somewhat mechanical and impersonal, making it harder to connect with the topic.


    Tricia presented a piece titled “NO!”, based on the homework set in the previous meeting. Keith humorously mentioned that Tricia moved from Genesis to Exodus in under two minutes through her piece. Katherine provided some suggestions to enhance the flow.


    Liz delighted the group with a heartfelt Valentine’s poem, which was well-received. She then read a poem she wrote at the age of 20, which was later published. Keith noted that while the poem described the wind, it didn’t convey the emotions behind it. Liz then read a reflection on her creative journey, appreciating the nostalgia. Simona enjoyed Liz’s vivid and heartfelt journey down memory lane.


    Katherine read a short story describing a prison cell, where the protagonist is tied to a stake, potentially facing execution. The story explored themes of religion, martyrdom, and the dilemma of whether to become a martyr or live to continue spreading teachings in the face of zealotry. Keith inquired about the inspiration for the story, and Katherine revealed that she wrote it for a competition. Liz found the piece “absolutely amazing.”


    Next meeting to be held on the 20th of March 2024. Tricia and Keith have sent apologies in advance.
    Homework: The Dreaming
    Chairperson and nibbles: Sarah
    Minutes, Wine: Simona

  • On The Edge

    Nathan, the youngest member of our Writers Circle, is a poet whose work lingers long after the final word has been read. Having honed his craft for many years, his poetry, while yet to be formally published, shows the kind of promise that suggests a literary breakthrough is imminent. His writing is unflinching, often exploring dark and uncomfortable themes, leaving readers with a visceral unease that is both haunting and compelling. The imagery within his poems is striking and raw, plunging into the depths of human experience and emotion with a fearless intensity. This is a poet who does not shy away from the difficult or the disturbing, and it is only a matter of time before the world takes notice of his powerful and provocative voice.

    Below is a poem which Nathan gracefully agreed to share. Read to the end for a ‘sweet’ treat in the form of a haiku:

    The Boy on the cliff stares above, watching the circling birds, as they soar.

    Liberated. Alive. singing.

    And the Boy wonders, if he can fly?

    Can he be free of the fences that confine him?

    He stretches his arms his arms out and waves them up and down, mimicking the motions of their wings.

    He pushes a whistle, to copy the bird song. His lips dry out, not after too long. Reaching the breathless strained blows of hopelessness.

    The Boy on the cliff looks below, his eyes following the running river.

    Wriggling. Rolling. Splashing.

    Thinning out, the further he looks.

    As the river flows, undisturbed, the clear blue reflects the sun and bounces up to meet his eyes.

    Wishing to swim with the sun, but doesn’t really know how, he merely stares and dreams.

    Perhaps just to bathe in the streams is enough?

    He stretches his arms out and rotates them forward, forward, forward, just as They taught.

    Then, he wets his lips, to whistle a constant tone, mimicking the running river. Until again, his lips run dry.

    The Boy on the cliff, noticing a gap between the fences, takes a chance and slips away.

    Now truly outside, now at the edge, he feels the wind against his back, as if urging him to choose.

    The Boy on the edge,

    Looks up

    Looks down

    As They sound the siren and call him back, he stretches his arms out and he whistles…

    To fly with the birds?

    Or

    To bathe in the streams?

    Nathan’s haiku is titled: Embers of Love

    The embers of love

    Red hot and float through the sky

    Hoping to burn me

  • MINUTES OF WOKING WRITERS’ CIRCLE MEETING, ST MARY’S CHURCH HALL, HORSELL ON 16th OF JANUARY 2025

    PRESENT: Tricia, Nathan, Simona, Catherine, Liz

    APOLOGIES: Natasha, Sarah, Alan, Heather

    NEWS:

    1. The meeting began with the announcement that Peter is no longer a member of the group. We wish him well in his new adventures and hope he will come visit us every now and then.
    2. Liz shared that the book group will be meeting on the 27th to discuss Suite Française by Irène Némirovsky. The meeting will include festive refreshments, and Liz encouraged anyone interested to reach out to her. She also mentioned that the previous book, My Brilliant Friend by Eleanor Ferrante (a story involving the Mafia), was very good.
    3. Liz also contacted the Lionsheart Bookshop, which remains keen on collaborating with the WWC to organise an event.

    READINGS:

    1. Simona – presented a draft with good pacing and a building sense of tension towards the end. Some concepts were found to be confusing as they hadn’t been previously introduced to the group, and members expressed interest in learning more about the world’s rules. Overall, it was a promising first draft.
    2. Tricia – shared a rough poem about a volcano, inspired by her recent cruise. Liz commented on the poem’s powerful and economical use of words. Nathan said it resonated with him and reminded him of a David Attenborough documentary. Simona noted themes of retribution and the anger of the Timanfaya volcano bubbling beneath the surface.
    3. Catherine – read a potential first chapter. Simona appreciated the foreshadowing in the interactions between the main characters. Nathan found it easy to follow with a nice rhythm, while Tricia said it made her think of a selection process and the motivation behind being chosen. Catherine agreed to make the motivation more explicit. Liz felt the piece could easily be imagined as a TV production.
    4. Liz shared her poem titled Being an Earthworm This Winter. Tricia praised it for evoking a strong sense of being an earthworm and liked how it portrayed the worm interacting with various environments and feeling out of place. Nathan enjoyed the repetition, which he felt emphasised key points and conveyed a sense of hope. Simona, however, observed that some repetitions added a detached despair, as the worm seemed too small to grasp the magnitude of its situation. Catherine noted that the poem tackled a specific theme effectively.
    5. Nathan – presented a piece titled Evil Angel. Liz commended his skill in evoking and sharing pain through striking imagery, describing phrases such as “catching and crushing” as both horrible and effective. Tricia admired Nathan’s beautiful way with words. Simona found the last line uncomfortable, which seemed to be an intentional effect. Nathan concluded by delighting the group with another poem he plans to submit to a competition.

    Homework – ‘No!’

    Chairperson – Tricia

    Wine – Nathan

    Milk & biscuits – Sarah

    Minutes – Simona

    The next meeting will be held on 20 February 2025.

  • MINUTES OF WOKING WRITERS’ CIRCLE MEETING, ST MARY’S CHURCH HALL, HORSELL ON 21st of NOVEMBER 2024

    Apologies: Alan, Sarah, Nathan, Peter, Heather

    Present: Catherine, Tricia, Keith, Simona, Liz

    NEWS

    1. Memberships payments notification will go out to the members shortly, pending confirmation from Hillary.
    2. Given that next month’s meeting falls very closely to Christmas, Simona will send out an email to determine who will be present and what shape the meeting might take.

    READINGS

    Tricia presented her new play, which stood out for its lack of the typical dramatic tension. She explained that the inspiration for the play came from her experience witnessing Saf’s stress when her parents were visiting, which led to some interesting interactions. Simona praised the work for capturing this unusual atmosphere in a very effective and subtle way.

    Simona shared her first poem which she noted was yet unfinished. Plenty of encouragement was provided by the group comparing the style to that of Nathan, another member. The group acknowledged the vividness and impact of the poem’s language as well as the powerful imagery.


    Catherine presented an excerpt from her novel, focusing on the point of view of a character named Anna. Simona suggested that Anna’s reaction following a previous encounter could be more clearly conveyed as flustered to deepen the emotional response. She also appreciated the details, such as Anna’s nosebleed, but encouraged Catherine to add more description to enhance the scene further. Liz found the piece highly imaginative, noting how it took the reader quickly from a simple moment to a much more intriguing and captivating direction. Tricia commented that the occult events in the story might benefit from a little more “showmanship” to heighten their dramatic effect.


    Keith shared three poems with the group. The first, “Of the Tomorrow that Never Comes,” was particularly impactful, with Simona finding the closing line especially poignant, as it struck a deep emotional chord. The second poem, “Swing Low,” was a competition entry that adhered to a word limit and was inspired by the image of a young girl swinging. Tricia inquired about the connection between the poem and the song that had inspired it. Simona interpreted the metaphors in the poem as evoking themes of futility and innocence, as symbolized by the image of swinging in the world. The third poem, “Swing Thoughts from Abroad,” was shared without further feedback.


    Liz shared a series of haikus inspired by the Frameless exhibition in London. These included references to works by Hieronymus Bosch (Garden of Earthly Delights), Van Gogh (a self-portrait), and Monet (Green Harmony). Catherine particularly appreciated the haiku about strawberries, praising its vividness and succinctness. Tricia and Catherine both felt that this haiku was particularly striking, containing a perfect balance of punchiness and wit without feeling forced. They also enjoyed the alliteration in the haiku about Van Gogh’s self-portrait. Regarding the Monet haiku, the group agreed that the word “beautiful” was unnecessary and should be replaced with something more fitting.

    Next meeting to be confirmed.

  • MINUTES OF WOKING WRITERS’ CIRCLE MEETING, ST MARY’S CHURCH HALL, HORSELL ON 18th of OCTOBER 2024

    Present: Nathan, Simona, Sarah, Alan, Tricia, Keith, Olivia, Liz, Peter, Hayden 

    Apologies: Harry, Heather 

    Introductions for Hayden, a welcome visitor.  

    NEWS 

    1. Simona asked for the members that intent to be part of the group for the next 12 months to either pay their membership (£35) via bank transfer or in cash at the next meeting. Simona or Heather will circulate the details.  
    1. The reading group lats book was ‘Island of Missing trees’ by Elif Shafak. Everyone was invited to join them in reading their next book by Percival Everett – James. 
    1. Liz informed the group that the Lionsheart Bookshop is now under new management and that we should seize to opportunity to help them put together another event.  

    READINGS 

    Hayden shared the first chapter of his book, written in March 2019 in Oxford. Keith inquired about the intended audience, while Peter noted that although there were some strong elements, certain parts might need to be removed for conciseness. The writing was praised for its expressiveness, but it was suggested that it could be sharpened and distilled to better convey the core messages. Simona pointed out continuity issues with timing, suggesting that more descriptive content could enhance the narrative. Tricia commended Hayden for his beautiful reading style and writing quality. 

    Keith then presented three poems. The first poem was written for a competition whose topic focused on justifying abortion, titled “To Be or Not to Be?“. The second poem, while unnamed leaned on audience mind manipulation and stage presence to deliver its message. His third poem, “Gunpowder Plot” received positive feedback. Simona wished him good luck with the first poem, expressing that it had a strong impact. Tricia appreciated the tone of “Gunpowder Plot” noting that it effectively conveys that not everyone celebrates in the same way, particularly highlighting the verse about the head on a spike. Liz also enjoyed the poem and suggested a revision in the last verse, praising Keith’s excellent performance. 

    Nathan’s piece, ‘On The Edge’, was originally intended as a poem, but Nathan felt that prose was more appropriate to convey the message. Tricia expressed her admiration for the evocative language, particularly phrases like “breath of hopelessness,” and noted that the repetition enhanced its poetic quality. Keith asked about the subjects in Nathan’s prose, and Sarah appreciated his experimentation with different formats, suggesting tweaks to align it more closely with poetry. Liz praised the physicality of Nathan’s writing and its strong verbs, while Sara felt that it was definitely a poem to be selected for his future book. 

    Tricia shared her homework piece, which was written in a tanka format and then converted into a haiku, titled “Absent Friends“. Olivia interpreted it in the context of British rule, while Tricia emphasized the importance of the reader being the one to give understanding to the message behind the poem. 

    Olivia’ untitled piece drew inspiration from a sentence she had heard, transforming it into her take on how she wished a breakup should have gone. Simona noted on the tone of one of the paragraphs and how the sentiment in it is somewhat contradictory to the rest of the piece but though that the switch between present tense and future tense was done seamlessly. Liz enjoyed Olivia’s performance and suggested some edits that would enhance the finality of one of her paragraphs. Hayden praised the vivid imagery, while Alan appreciated the themes of regret and inevitability presented in her work. Sarah noted that Olivia has a very unique, feeling voice, and made Sarah experience the feelings herself. 

    Peter’s poem remarked on the comparison between life and poetry. Simona said that the poem as an apt metaphor for life, with Alan noting the effective contradiction between the first and last lines. Liz expressed interest in the originality of the language used throughout the poem. 

    Liz introduced a Korean form of haiku known as “sijo” to the group, which she composed in three minutes as part of a workshop she had recently attended, earning appreciation from the group. Liz also wrote a villanelle which featured the phrase “So much remains unsaid, undone.” Simona commented on the power of repetition in her villanelle, and Tricia acknowledged how strongly it conveyed the futility of war. Liz noted that she used the metaphor of war to depict the futility of communication and solution within a long term relationship when one of two partners has dementia.

    Alan’s piece was written with the homework in mind, ‘Absent friends’, to the delight of the group. The piece had Alan’s fast pacing characteristic and contained a significant amount of information in a very short form.  

    Sarah presented her audio project, inspired by Poetry Day, which she plans to upload to YouTube. This project features a calming four-minute guided breathing exercise, a poem and a song. Peter noted that the pieces not produced by Sarah, including works by Emily Dickinson and Shakespeare, could potentially distract the audience. Olivia agreed that while all three pieces are strong individually, they might not work well together. Finally, Alan expressed enjoyment in singing the sonnet, finding it appealing to his understanding. 

    Next meeting 21st of November 

    Homework: Fame 

    Chair: Tricia 

    Minutes, Milk and biscuits: Simona 

    Wine: Keith

  • Materuni Falls

    Materuni Falls

    Woking Writers Circle hopes you enjoy Tricia’s second instalment of her Tanzania Adventures, as much as we did:

    I’d said to my friend that I wasn’t keen to visit the Serengeti or wildlife parks. Human life interests me more. I’m not averse to natural features especially waterfalls. I was lucky enough to visit Victoria falls in 2023, all thanks to my sister. My friend also likes falls so she arranged a trip, with a local guide she knew, the day after returning from Zanzibar.

    We sat waiting for our guide, knap sacks ready. B arrived apologizing for being late, we had coffee and discussed the day. It sounded great, waterfall, coffee farm, food in a Chagga village and back.

    The day was warm and sunny, the mist hung over Mount Meru (the nearest one) and further on clung to Mount Kilimanjaro (the shy one) obscuring the summit. (A) told me she had only seen the summit a couple of times in the year she had been here.

    B drove us through the bustling market, then turned off to a quieter road. He told us we were approaching Maji Chai.

    “Why do you think it is called that?” Realizing that chai means tea, we suggested something to do with that.

    “Nearly right, look at the colour of the river (it was reddish brown) the water is contaminated by minerals from Mount Meru. The name translates as ‘Tea Water”. He was very knowledgeable about the culture and history of the area.

    About one hour later we turn off the main road, gradually ascending, luckily there was plenty of foliage and no steep drops. We were about the same elevation as the first base camp on Kilimanjaro, but outside the national park, I do keep forgetting that falls are quite high up.

    We left the car and set off along a track, its only 7km to the falls, but quite hard going in places. In the shade it was muddy, in the sun quite withering.

    B explained about the Chagga tribe and the Materuni village that we would visit after the falls.

    B showed us how to make a sun hat from a banana leaf, he kept asking us to guess what the plants were, we were not very good at it, but it was fun. The people here are so much more in touch with nature.

    As we descended, several scrambler bikes whizzed past, local guys driving, tired tourists riding pillion. I looked at B.

    “Oh they give you a ride up the hill, sometimes it’s too much on the way back.”

    Not on your life I thought.

    We were approached by some children who had chameleons. A really wanted to look at them.

    We stopped at the lower reaches of the falls, its about 80 m high. I dipped my feet in the water, so cool and refreshing. I swapped my trainers for sandals and B offered to carry my rucksack, which made walking lots easier. I’m starting to feel my age.

    As we sat admiring the peace and tranquillity, several youngsters in blue school uniforms passed by, and then there were more. One hundred and fifty to be precise, several teachers and a nun. As the walk towards the falls was getting slippery, the nun was down to the bottom like a mountain goat, made me feel old.

    B and my friend helped the teachers make a chain so the kids could get down to paddle on the rocks. I held all the bags. It was great to see the rapture as they paddled, sadly it would never pass a UK risk assessment, more’s the pity.

    We decided that it was too slippery to go closer to the falls.

    We went back a little way downstream, and had a swim. I tried to teach B to float, but the current was strong. We packed up hurriedly to beat the rush of children. I decided to walk barefoot , much easier. I felt more agile, in touch with the earth.

    When we arrived at the steep incline, I wondered if I could manage it, just then the BODABODA (bikes) arrived . I looked on in horror.

    “You’ll be fine, just hold on tight, put your chin in the back of his neck, honestly you’ll be ok.”

    I went for it, spurred on by B’s positivity. Clinging on for dear life as he swerved around ruts, twisting and turning around the rugged track. I nearly squeezed the life out of the poor boy. Hairy, but any exhilaration I felt left me as we approached a steep descent.

    “ Stop, stop!”

    “You ok, you burn yourself?”

    “No, no, I’ll walk down.”

    He starred at me perplexed.

    “Ok”

    Then I stepped back and noticed that I did burn my ankle on the exhaust.

    We arrived at the Materuni village, which J described as an authentic village where tours and trips were developed to try to help people and remove the temptation of drug use. His brother had succumbed and he wanted to help the young people. There were several dwellings and a cow shed, all the people, adults and children made us feel very welcome. B knew them well and engaged in some banter regarding one of the girls.

    We were taken to a table outside but in the shade, and treated to a traditional Chagga lunch. Soya beans and rice, brown and white, soup, potatoes and local veg, meat curry. All fresh and homemade, it was lovely. I’ve never eaten whole soya beans. One of the young guys joined us, his name was Goodluck, as his mother finally got the son she wanted.

    Then we went to see the coffee preparation. They had Arabica plants, we were shown the whole process, starting with the pods and the hand machine that removes the skin, the washing, where the bad pods rise to the surface and are skimmed off. The drying, which takes about 1-2 weeks. Once dry they use a large pestle and mortar to remove the husks, they then shake the husks away and these are used for fertilizer.

    Next came the roasting, a man with dreads half way down his back, stirred the beans and moved the metal pot around over the open fire. We sang traditional songs. They tend to roast coffee medium here believing that it retains more natural goodness. Then back to the pestle and mortar. They made it look easy and I had a go but it definitely was not.

    Tasting time! They poured coffee into small China cups and were impressed I drink my coffee black. Which is what they do. More pure.

    Finally time to go. We walked back to the car, there was an old couple sitting outside a hut, she was stirring a pot. B explained they were making the local brew. We did have some of the banana beer with lunch, more like liqueur, very strong. This is called Mbege, it is a beer made from the ‘ndizi Ngombe (cow banana) and sprouted millet powder, it is a time consuming process and is made by the women.

    They beckoned to us.

    “Go on they are inviting you to try some”

    It tasted ok but the grainy scum floating on the top. Yuk!

    We thanked them.

    As we drove down we noticed that the sky had become very clear. We stopped and were met by a very old man who was looking for something. The shy mountain had come out of hiding and was visible in all her glory right to the top. I felt very privileged.

    The hour and a half journey there turned into a 3 hour journey back. We hit all the market traffic. I’d never driven out in the night when I had been in Namibia, car hire firms usually stipulate no night driving except in a town. Mind you it definitely wasn’t quiet. People finishing work, packing and loading cars and trucks full of unsold produce. Shops and bars and restaurants.

    As it got later the clothing changed and an assortment of partying and nightlife was on display. Vibrant, colourful snippets of life. B wanted to take us to a local café when we got back to Arusha, we were both tired, but needed to eat, so we agreed.

    Gradually the road became quieter as we neared Arusha. We drove into town and through some back streets. The café had lots of tables outside.

    I was going to try chips mayai, a local specialty which was basically an omelette with the chips in it. I wasn’t sure at first, but it works. I also had some chicken and salad with different spices and breads.

    We finally got back to A’s about 10 pm. A twelve hour day.

    I slept well that night.